Roots

In my much younger days (decades ago), I fell in love with the blockbuster TV miniseries, “Roots,” an adaptation of the 1976 novel by Alex Haley. For eight nights I was hooked as I sat glued to the television to see what happened in Alex Haley’s family and got my “fix” of Kunta Kinte, Kizzy, Chicken George. It must have been therapeutic for Mr. Haley to find his roots.

Now, like the author, hubby and I are writing our own story. For me, having moved from the city and the only home I’ve ever known, to the country, I’m learning everything from scratch (livestock, you mean eggs don’t come from the store?), but hubby is returning to his roots. He’s seeing people he grew up with, reminiscing, sharing stories, and I’m learning a lot about him in the process. I’m seeing good changes in both of us – less stress, getting back to what’s important, being more considerate, and, all in all, an improved relationship.

Meeting your past can force you to make peace with your past, too (I’m speaking to myself here, too). I meet someone all the time whose life and relationships are affected from an event in their life. Ask any therapist/counselor and they will tell you, coming to grips and making peace with your past is key to your well-being. It affects your physical, mental and emotional health. So how do you make peace with your past and let go?

While letting go is a very hard lesson to overcome, it took on new meaning as I learned what letting go actually meant – giving up what is beyond your control to embrace what you can change.Let go of the past that you cannot undo. Let go of the warped view you have of yourself. Let go of the hurts that hold you too tightly. Let go of the mistakes you once made. Let go of the anger that’s consuming your thoughts. Let go of condemnation, so you can live free.

No, we can’t control the hurtful words that once shaped our hearts, but we can replace them with something much better. We can’t control negative people, but we can choose joy for ourselves. And the miracle of it all? – letting go doesn’t just change us, but has the power to alter the next generation, and the next after that – just like in “Roots.”

Isaiah 43: 18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert.”